A to Z:

Business support and advice

Central Bedfordshire Council, along with its partners, can offer a range of business support and advice for businesses of all sizes, age and type. This includes information about grants available to businesses, support when starting a business and assistance with training.

The primary route into business support available in Bedfordshire is provided by Business Link East, the delivery arm for the  Business Link brand of services for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in the East of England.  Business Link East is able to provide a range of free advisory services for both existing businesses and the start-up market, offering specialist and technical information in keeping with the issues of each client.  For further information and advice visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/east or call 08457 17 16 15.

Please follow the links below for further information:

*FREE Business Information Events (application/pdf; 284kB) from Central Bedfordshire Council - join us for lunch and find out more!

Introduction to Exporting - find out how your business can access new markets, customers and business opportunities.

Understanding Finance for Business & Create New Business in the Current Marketplace - Over £10m in grants have been awarded to businesses in Central Bedfordshire - why not see how your business can benefit?

Boost for Bedfordshire Businesses - small firms in Bedfordshire can scoop a £1,000 prize by entering an annual awards scheme.  Organised by the Federation of Small Businesses, Central Bedfordshire Council is sponsoring The Best New Business Award.   

Latest News from Business Link - for the latest news and business initiatives

Business Finance and Grants - find out what grants are available to businesses in Central Bedfordshire

Business Networks - information on Business Networking organisations

Business Services - information about the services we and our partners provide to local businesses

The Business Map - information on new and better ways to finance your business

Credit Crunch - information on Business Link's initiative to support businesses during the credit crunch

Creative Bedfordshire - information for those who work within the Creative Industries Sector

Green Business - information on organisations offering advice and support on environmental good practice

Institute for Manufacturing - find out about the FREE Manufacturing Transformation Programme

London 2012 Olympics - details of how businesses can benefit from the Games, through supply chain opportunities

Manufacturing Advisory Service East - support for manufacturing, engineering and technology related companies

Rural Business - details of organisations specialising in support for businesses based in rural areas

Self-Employment - services and useful links for those who are or who are thinking of becoming self-employed

Small and Medium Sized Enterprises - agencies providing services to small and medium sized enterprises

Social Enterprise - find out about Social Enterprise

Starting a Business - information on starting your own business

Train to Gain - support with employee training

Womens Enterprise - support for women in or considering starting a business

Youth Enterprise - useful links for young people involved with business

For further information, please call Sue King, Business Growth Officer on 0300 300 5525 or email  sue.king@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk